Can you delete an email to stop a recipient from receiving it?

stone_2

At work, when you send an email you can see by looking at the properties if the recipient has opened it or not. If they haven't, you can delete it, and they don't then get it.

Is there a similar way to do this on normal email - I've sent an email that I know have second thoughts about is there anything I can do or am I screwed?

They definitely haven't opened it yet.

Browntoa

no chance I'm afraid

Marty_J

Sorry, but I think you're screwed! :shocked:

The best thing to do is send a follow-up email apologising for the first.

superscaper

Not as far as I'm aware. Once it's gone it's gone. Believe me I've been in our position more than once. Just have to grin and bear it I'm afraid.

Difference is that it's now sat on a server you have no access to and no right to access. Not quite the same thing as an intranet where your work can set it's own global access features, and various consistent software. I think I remember at one place we used Lotus Notes where you could do that.

davejr

You can retract the email using Outlook (im not 100% sure how as I use a Mac) but it is possible IF the other user is also checking mail using Outlook. I remember whilst at university the uni sent an email CCing in EVERYONE who had been for confidential welfare meetings, they retracted the email but most people received it anyway, so basically just send another email appologising for sending the first message in the heat of the moment, most people understand its easy to send a mean email

Marty_J

davejr wrote: »

You can retract the email using Outlook (im not 100% sure how as I use a Mac) but it is possible IF the other user is also checking mail using Outlook. I remember whilst at university the uni sent an email CCing in EVERYONE who had been for confidential welfare meetings, they retracted the email but most people received it anyway

I imagine they were able to delete the email because it was sent on their own servers which they are able to access. So they can delete the email on there before people download it using Outlook.

The average person doesn't have unfettered access to Microsoft's or Google's or Yahoo's servers, so they can't do this, regardless of if the sender and recipient are using Outlook.

davejr

It would be against the law to access even their own emails on their own servers so they couldn't, but back to the thread you definately can send a retract email if they are using outlook (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061017080827AA7tuiD)

superscaper

davejr wrote: »

It would be against the law to access even their own emails on their own servers so they couldn't, but back to the thread you definately can send a retract email if they are using outlook (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061017080827AA7tuiD)

Most home users, even with Outlook aren't on an exchange server.

davejr

Sorry, didnt notice that it had to be exchange, i though outlook would just send some meta message that only other copies of outlook would read, but yeah you're right, its only Exchange. Sorryx

superscaper

davejr wrote: »

Sorry, didnt notice that it had to be exchange, i though outlook would just send some meta message that only other copies of outlook would read, but yeah you're right, its only Exchange. Sorryx

Interesting info to have though (in case I decide to upgrade to Exchange).

stone_2

Thanks - thought that might be the case - what a nightmare